Editorial: Marin beach visitors need to know about sneaker waves

Three people, including a 9-year-old boy, died after being swept out to sea by sneaker waves in a five-day span in Marin.

If you have lived in Marin for long and spent time on our ocean beaches, you likely are familiar with sneaker waves. They can be big, sudden and deadly, as three visitors to the county found out.

Perhaps if they had known about the risks posed by the waves they would be alive today.

Sneaker waves are powerful rogue waves that can extend beyond the foam line on the beach, catching beachgoers by surprise — especially if they are not paying attention.

When someone is grabbed by a sneaker wave, the tragedy too often is compounded when others try to help and also are swept away by the cold Pacific. In winter, beachgoers often are wearing heavy clothes, which makes it more difficult to get back to dry land.

On Dec. 28, Juan Carlos Escamillo-Monroy of San Francisco died after being swept off the rocks while fishing with his father, Juan Escamillo-Rojas, in the Marin Headlands. His father died trying to save him.

On Jan. 1, Charles Quaid, 59, of Richmond was snatched by a big wave while walking with his wife and dog near the Point Reyes Lighthouse. His wife survived; he drowned.

There are dozens of miles of ocean beach in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin. Park officials say they can't be everywhere and staffers do what they can to warn visitors. Information warning about the danger of the ocean is posted on their websites. There are signs at various locations.

Federal officials are correct — they can't be everywhere. But three deaths in less than a week is too many. Too many visitors simply are not aware of the risks — even risks that seem obvious to many of us.

The day after Charles Quaid died at North Beach, IJ reporter Janis Mara found that many visitors to Rodeo Beach in the Marin Headlands — a spot with impressive wave action that is popular with surfers — knew about the danger of sneaker waves. But a number did not. Some were not aware of the three deaths in less than a week.

The Pacific Ocean is awe-inspiring at Marin's beautiful beaches. Visitors are drawn to our beaches to feel, see and hear the majestic power of nature firsthand.

That raw power also can be deadly.

We hope federal park officials can find ways to make more visitors aware of the dangers of the ocean and sneaker waves, especially in the winter. We encourage them to consider posting more signs and even posting staffers at popular beaches during periods of heavy surf.

We also encourage visitors to give Mother Nature the respect she deserves.

Beach Safety Rules

 Never turn your back on the water. Be mindful of upcoming weather conditions. Be aware of potentially dangerous waves in areas of strong currents that are near shore or shallow banks. Remember that sneaker waves are hard to predict. Remain aware of your surroundings. Do not play on the rocks. Do not overestimate your swimming abilities. Do not underestimate the power of the sea.